What to Do Near Travis AFB: Space-A Stopovers and Military Vacation Ideas

Travis AFB puts some of Northern California’s best travel experiences within easy reach, from wine country and waterfront towns to redwood forests and Bay Area day trips.

With just a free afternoon, you can visit a military museum, stroll a historic waterfront, tour the Jelly Belly factory, or sample local wines. With a few days, you can add Sacramento, San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito, or a longer wine country outing to your itinerary.

Use this guide to plan your time near Travis based on how long you have, what you want to do, and how far you want to travel from base.

Base access note: Travelers with a uniformed services ID card can generally access Travis AFB by simply showing their ID card at the gate. Veterans using a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) should review the base access section below before planning a visit, as they may need to stop at the Visitor Center for a pass before entering the installation.

Why Plan a Trip Around Travis AFB?

If you’re flying Space-A out of Travis, extra time before a flight can turn into an easy Northern California outing. The area has quick options near base, plus full-day trips if your schedule gives you more flexibility

Travis also works well as a home base for a Northern California military vacation. Eligible travelers can use on-base lodging, MWR activities, Outdoor Recreation rentals, ITT discounts, and nearby transportation options to explore the region without staying in high-priced tourist areas.

Drive times listed below are approximate and based on Google Maps from Travis AFB.

Staying at Travis AFB

Staying on base makes exploring the region convenient and affordable. You have two main options for lodging at Travis.

Westwind Inn – This Air Force Inn offers hotel-style rooms and suites. Contact them directly for current rates and leisure (space available) reservation policies.

Travis FAM Camp – If you have an RV, stay at the campground, located on base, less than half a mile past the visitor center. It has 70 full-service sites and seven dry campsites. Never used a military campground? Here are five important tips.

Travis AFB Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Activities

Before exploring beyond the base, check out the recreational opportunities available through Travis AFB. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, discounted attraction tickets, a round of golf, or a fun museum, you’ll find plenty of ways to fill a free afternoon or an entire weekend.

Cypress Lakes Golf Course – Tee off at this 18-hole, par-72 championship course located about four miles from the main installation. In addition to daily play, you’ll find lessons, club rentals, tournaments, a driving range, and practice facilities.

Outdoor Adventure Program – Let local experts handle the planning while you explore Northern California. The Outdoor Adventure Program offers guided day trips and overnight excursions for activities such as hiking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

Outdoor Recreation Equipment Rental – Prefer to create your own adventure? Rent bicycles, surfboards, wetsuits, camping gear, and winter sports equipment through Outdoor Recreation. During ski season, you can even take advantage of the shuttle service to popular slopes in the Sierra Nevada.

Information, Tickets & Travel (ITT) – Before purchasing tickets elsewhere, stop by ITT to check for military discounts. They offer discounted admission to regional attractions, theme parks, sporting events, and entertainment venues.

Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum – While not an MWR activity, this free museum is located on base and makes an easy stop if you want a dose of military aviation history. The museum showcases 23 historic aircraft and numerous exhibits exploring the history of military aviation. Highlights include legendary aircraft such as the B-29 Superfortress and B-52 Stratofortress.

Travis Marina – For one of the most distinctive MWR offerings connected to Travis AFB. head to the Travis Marina in Sausalito. Located about 75 minutes southwest of the base, within sight of the Golden Gate Bridge, the marina rents sailboats, offers sailing lessons, and hosts skipper-led excursions for up to six guests. Even if you don’t plan to sail, the waterfront setting and Marina Bar & Grill make this a memorable outing.

Easy Outings Within 30 Minutes

If you only have a few free hours, these nearby destinations offer an easy way to experience the local area without spending much time on the road.

Suisun City Waterfront
(15 minutes)

Suisun City’s waterfront district boasts a marina, walking paths, restaurants, breweries, and scenic views overlooking Suisun Slough. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite, walk along the water, and unwind after a day of travel.

Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company
(15 minutes)

For something different, consider a visit to this family-owned olive farm in nearby Suisun Valley. Sample award-winning olive oils, learn about the production process, and enjoy the property’s vineyard-like scenery.

Vacaville Premium Outlets
(15 – 20 minutes)

Need to pick up a few items or simply enjoy a little retail therapy? You’ll find more than 120 stores at this popular outdoor shopping center.

Benicia
(30 – 40 minutes)

For an easy afternoon escape, spend a few hours exploring Benicia’s historic waterfront and downtown district. While you’re there, step inside California’s original state capitol building and learn about the brief period in the 1850s when Benicia was the state’s capital. Also, don’t miss the Benicia Arsenal Historic District, which served as the Army’s West Coast ordnance facility from 1851 to 1964.

Best Family-Friendly Stops

You’ll also find plenty of family-friendly attractions within 30 minutes of Travis AFB. From candy factories and historic train rides to miniature golf and roller coasters, these destinations can easily fill a few hours or an entire day.

Jelly Belly Visitor Center
(20 minutes)

Don’t miss one of the area’s most popular family attractions. Just minutes from Travis AFB, you’ll learn how the famous jelly beans are made, browse interactive exhibits, sample flavors, and shop for candy and souvenirs. Younger children especially love the Jelly Belly Express, a colorful miniature train that circles the grounds. Even if factory tours aren’t operating during your visit, the visitor center is still worth a stop.

Western Railway Museum
(20 minutes)

Step aboard a piece of California transportation history at this unique museum. In addition to exploring vintage streetcars, interurban trains, and locomotives, you can ride a historic train through the surrounding countryside. Note: this museum has limited hours. Visit their website before planning your visit.

Scandia Golfland
(20 minutes)

Challenge the family to a round of miniature golf, spend time in the arcade, or take a few swings in the batting cages. Located in Fairfield, Scandia Golfland offers classic family entertainment close to the base.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
(30 minutes)

For a full day of family fun, head to Vallejo’s Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. You’ll find roller coasters, family rides, animal exhibits, live shows, and opportunities to get up close to marine life and wildlife.

Outdoor Activities

Outdoor options near Travis range from quick hikes and disc golf close to base to bayfront trails, mountain biking, boating, and windsurfing farther west.

Lagoon Valley Park
(15 minutes)

Spend a few hours hiking, biking, fishing, or playing disc golf at this 470-acre recreation area about 20 miles from Travis AFB. The park has a 100-acre lake, miles of trails ranging from easy lakeside walks to steeper climbs, and a popular 27-hole disc golf course. You can also rent a bike and helmet from Outdoor Recreation if you want to explore the park’s gravel paths or singletrack trails.

China Camp State Park
(75 – 90 minutes)

Located on San Pablo Bay in San Rafael, China Camp State Park offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, wildlife watching, swimming, boating, and windsurfing. The park’s multi-use trails make it especially popular with mountain bikers, and Travis Outdoor Recreation regularly offers mountain biking trips here. If you prefer a slower pace, explore the shoreline, visit historic China Camp Village, or enjoy bay views from the park’s picnic areas.

Wine Country

A key benefit of stopping at Travis is its proximity to California wine country. Within an hour, you can visit both renowned wineries and quieter, family-run vineyards. Wine country has appeal for all ages, with parks, ice cream shops, unique shopping, and a variety of restaurants.

Suisun Valley
(15-20 Minutes)

This quieter wine region offers boutique wineries, olive oil tastings, local farm stands, and scenic country roads without the heavier crowds of Napa or Sonoma. It’s a good choice if you want a relaxed tasting experience close to Travis, especially when you don’t have time for a full Napa or Sonoma day trip. You can also pair a winery stop with lunch, olive oil tasting, or a quick drive through the valley.

Napa Valley
(35-45 Minutes)

Experience California’s most famous wine destination. Napa’s vineyard-covered landscapes, upscale tasting rooms, acclaimed restaurants, and luxury resorts have made it a must-visit for wine lovers worldwide. Even if wine isn’t your primary interest, you’ll find waterfront walking paths, shopping, and excellent dining in downtown Napa.

Sonoma Valley
(45-60 Minutes)

Combine wine tasting with history, shopping, and outdoor recreation in Sonoma Valley. Sample wines at family-owned vineyards, stroll the historic Sonoma Plaza, and browse local shops. Sonoma’s laid-back pace makes it easy to spend an entire day exploring.

Military History Sites

In addition to the aviation museum on base, you’ll find several outstanding historical sites within an hour of Travis.

American Armory Museum
(15-20 Minutes)

Located in Fairfield, this small museum packs in an impressive collection of military vehicles, tanks, and artillery pieces from multiple conflicts. You’ll see (and even climb aboard) restored armored vehicles and equipment, making it a worthwhile stop for military history enthusiasts.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
(40-50 Minutes)

This memorial commemorates a significant, but lesser-known, event of World War II. In 1944, an ammunition explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine killed 320 sailors and civilians, most of them African American servicemen working under segregated conditions. The surviving sailors, many who had ruptured eardrums from the explosion and severe mental/physical trauma, refused to work in the same dangerous conditions that caused the deaths of hundreds of their fellow sailors

The aftermath led to the largest naval mutiny trial in U.S. history and became an important catalyst for the eventual desegregation of the U.S. Navy. Access is via Ranger-led tours from the nearby John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez. If time allows, you can also visit John Muir’s former home and walk the grounds before or after your scheduled tour.

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
(50 – 60 Minutes)

Located in Richmond, this national park preserves the story of the American home front during World War II. Rather than a single historic site, the park includes several locations throughout Richmond, including former shipyards, wartime housing developments, memorials, and the historic SS Red Oak Victory.

The visitor center features engaging exhibits that explore wartime production, civil rights, migration, childcare innovations, and the war’s lasting impact on American society.

Popular Day Trips

If you have a full day or two near Travis AFB, you can use the base as a convenient starting point to visit some of the area’s top destinations, from Sacramento’s Gold Rush history to San Francisco’s waterfront, Sausalito’s bay views, and the giant redwood trees in Muir Woods.

Sacramento
(50-60 minutes)

Spend a day exploring California’s capital, where Gold Rush history, impressive museums, and a thriving food scene come together in a walkable downtown setting.

Start in Old Sacramento, where wooden sidewalks, historic buildings, and riverfront views provide a glimpse into the city’s Gold Rush past. From there, tour the California State Capitol, browse one of the many museums, or head to Midtown for locally owned shops, restaurants, and breweries.

History buffs won’t want to miss the California State Railroad Museum, while foodies will enjoy the city’s nationally recognized farm-to-table dining scene.

San Francisco
(75-90 Minutes)

San Francisco offers enough attractions to fill several trips. You can stroll Fisherman’s Wharf, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, explore Chinatown, browse the Ferry Building Marketplace, or simply wander the city’s distinct neighborhoods.

The city is also home to world-class museums, historic cable cars, waterfront parks, and spectacular views around every corner.

Muir Woods National Monument
(~90 Minutes)

If towering redwoods are on your Northern California bucket list, don’t miss Muir Woods. It features easy to moderate hikes beneath some of the region’s oldest and tallest trees. For longer treks, you can connect to trails in Mount Tamalpais State Park.

Combine your visit with a scenic drive through the Marin Headlands for views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific coastline.

Sausalito
(60 – 75 Minutes)

Located across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Sausalito makes a good full-day outing if you want waterfront views, restaurants, shops, galleries, and easy access to the Marin Headlands. You can also pair the trip with a visit to the Travis Marina mentioned above and use their Sailing on the Bay program.

Base Access for Disabled Veterans

Service-disabled veterans who did not retire from the military and are rated less than 100% permanent and total can access Travis AFB, stay in lodging, and use the MWR facilities referenced in this article.

You need a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), which is issued by VA for veterans enrolled in VA health care. The VA website has instructions for obtaining a VHIC.

The first time you access Travis AFB, you must stop at the Visitor Center to register with the base and undergo a background check. Once you’ve registered, you can enter the base by showing your VHIC. Your registration is valid for up to 3 years.

Veterans using a VHIC can also sponsor guests to accompany them while using Travis AFB facilities. Guests age 18 or older must stop at the Visitor Center and present a “Real ID” or two forms of other identification, one of which is a photo ID. They will receive a base pass valid for up to 30 days. Guests under the age of 18 who are accompanying the veteran do not need to stop at the Visitor Center or obtain a pass unless they are driving the vehicle.

Get more details on base access, including Visitor Center hours and examples of acceptable ID cards on the Travis AFB website.

Getting Around

If you don’t have your own vehicle, here are your options:

Bus – Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST) operates local bus routes throughout the area, including service to Travis AFB. FAST Connect is an on-demand shuttle service that transports riders between the base, the Fairfield Transportation Center, shopping areas, and other nearby destinations. You can also use this shuttle service for free to get to the main gate if you need to meet a rideshare or rental car service.

Rental Cars – Travis does not have an on-base rental car facility. Budget and Avis are across the street from the Visitor Center, or Enterprise will provide pick-up service from there.

Rideshare Services – Uber and Lyft drivers need base access, so the easiest option is to meet them at the Visitor Center.

Train – The nearby Suisun-Fairfield Amtrak Station provides convenient rail service throughout Northern California. The Capitol Corridor train connects travelers to Sacramento, Martinez, Richmond, Oakland, and San Jose, with easy connections to San Francisco via BART.

Ready to Plan Your Travis Getaway?

Travis AFB gives eligible travelers more than a place to catch a Space-A flight. With base lodging, MWR options, nearby towns, wine country, outdoor recreation, military history sites, and Bay Area day trips within reach, it can help you turn a stopover into a Northern California military getaway.